Ackerman cites excitement at Promise Academies

VAUX HIGH SCHOOL senior Nayirrah Greene said she sensed a difference at her school.

It wasn't just the fresh paint and renovations, or even the new navy-blue and khaki-beige uniforms.

No, it was something more.

"It's more organized and everything," she said sitting in the school cafeteria during her lunch period. "There used to be difficulties with students all out of control and the teachers not in control. It's a little better."

She sat beside her identical-twin sister, Nadirrah, who nodded in agreement.

They were among hundreds of district students who started their school year in one of Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's six Promise Academies.

The school will have abbreviated class schedules this week, which will include just two days of instruction because of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah.

As a bonus, parents and students are invited to attend an enrichment fair at the school today, during which students will choose to participate in programs including boxing, rowing, dress design and dance.

Ackerman stopped at the school to show her support after a bell-ringing ceremony at the newly built, $30 million Willard Elementary, on Elkhart Street between Kensington and Frankford avenues, in Kensington.

"Students are excited. Teachers are excited, they're ready to go," she said.

Later, on, she made her rounds to other Promise Academies, including Dunbar Elementary, on 12th Street near Montgomery Avenue.

Back at Vaux, at 23rd and Master streets, principal William Wade, dressed in the school's uniform, including a tie with the school's name and insignia, stood appearing ready to take on the challenge of leading one of the district's failing schools.

He said he plans to lead the 372-student body into academic excellence and social readiness.

Atop his list, he said he wants his teaching staff - 19 of whom are new to teaching, and a few whom he recruited from out-of-state - to perfect the mastery learning model, in which students receive a pass or fail instead of a letter grade.

Under the model, core subjects are divided into sections, or "laps," and taught at the pace of each individual student.

Also, teachers will apply the full inclusion model in their classrooms, he said. At least two certified teachers will be in classrooms with students with special needs, he said.

"Every student in the room is getting a double dose of professional attention," he said. "That helps us eliminate the obstacles that sometimes get in the way of student success."